Regional Maintenance Manager

Job Summary:

We are seeking a results-driven, high-accountability Regional Maintenance Manager to lead and oversee maintenance operations across multiple facilities within our region. This is a mission-critical role responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance of a fleet of school buses transporting thousands of students daily. The ideal candidate thrives under pressure, excels at leading teams, and possesses an uncompromising commitment to operational excellence and safety.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Oversight:
• • Directly manage and mentor multiple maintenance supervisors, shop foremen, and technicians across several locations.
• • Drive a culture of safety, urgency, and accountability through strong leadership, communication, and performance management.
• • Enforce company standards, SOPs, and preventative maintenance protocols with zero tolerance for non-compliance.
• Fleet Performance & Uptime:
• • Ensure all vehicles meet or exceed DOT, state, and federal requirements.
• • Achieve and maintain peak fleet availability (targeting 95% daily uptime).
• • Oversee execution of preventive and predictive maintenance programs, emergency repairs, and warranty recovery.
• Resource & Budget Management:
• • Control regional maintenance budgets, vendor contracts, and parts inventory.
• • Track cost per mile, labor utilization, parts spend, and other key performance indicators.
• • Continuously identify cost-saving initiatives without compromising safety or quality.
• Compliance & Safety:
• • Conduct regular audits and inspections to ensure compliance with all safety and environmental regulations.
• • Lead investigations for maintenance-related incidents and implement corrective actions.
• • Champion a zero-incident culture in all maintenance shops.
• Training & Development:
• • Develop technicians through formal training programs and hands-on mentorship.
• • Lead onboarding and ongoing certification processes for new hires.
• • Stay current on industry trends and emerging vehicle technologies, including EV and alternative fuels.
• Strategic Planning & Execution:
• • Support long-term fleet planning, including bus replacement and technology upgrades.
• • Collaborate with regional leadership and dispatch to align fleet readiness with operational demands.
• • Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance service quality.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive maintenance leadership experience, preferably in transportation or fleet-heavy operations.
• Proven ability to manage large, dispersed teams across multiple sites.
• Expert knowledge of diesel engine repair, school bus systems, DOT regulations, and maintenance planning.
• Strong proficiency in fleet management software
• Demonstrated success driving KPIs, budgets, and safety standards.
• Exceptional organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
• ASE Certifications and/or technical degree preferred.
• CDL Class B with Passenger and School Bus endorsement preferred or willingness to obtain.

Work Conditions:

• On-call availability for emergencies, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
• Regular travel within the assigned region.
• Fast-paced, high-pressure environment with critical safety implications.

This is not a job for the average manager. It's for the leader who embraces challenge, commands respect and delivers results. If you're ready to elevate standards and lead from the front, we want to talk to you.